BACKGROUND: Shoulder dystocia takes place when a baby gets stuck by the shoulders behind the mother's pelvic bone during delivery. This happens when a baby is already in the birth canal, so to ease the baby out, a doctor has to do immediate maneuvers. Shoulder dystocia is described in an American Family Physician research article as "one of the most frightening emergencies in the delivery room." Authors wrote, "Although many factors have been associated with shoulder dystocia, most cases occur with no warning." Risk factors for shoulder dystocia include having diabetes, being overweight, carrying a large baby and having a history of births with shoulder dystocia. While some cases of shoulder dystocia are overcome without injury to the baby, 20 percent cause injury, according to shoulderdystociainfo.com. These injuries include collar bone fractures, humerus fractures, contusions, lacerations, birth asphyxia and damage to the brachial plexus nerves. The brachial plexus nerves are found at the base of the neck. When the nerves are damaged, a baby can suffer paralysis of the arm and hand. TREATMENT: The majority of brachial plexus injuries resolve on their own over the course of several months to a year, but physical therapy is usually recommended following birth. For permanent injuries, physical therapy can strengthen nerves that are partially damaged. Although some surgeries, like nerve grafting and muscle transposition, are carried out after these types of injuries, their ...
Orignal From: Safer Child Birth - Prevent Shoulder Dystocia - LMS Medical
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